Economical Respirometer: Oxymax-ER

General Information

Our new inexpensive single or dual gas (O2 / CO2) respirometer, the Oxymax ER, is a table top model which can be powered from a 115/220V power line or from a car battery (utilizing a voltage converter). Total power consumption is 50W. The ER-10's dimensions (14" D x 11.5" W x 7.5" H or 36 cm x 29 cm x 19 cm) and weight (20 pounds or 9 kg) make it convenient to use both in lab and field situations for soil, compost, sludge or wastewater respiration measurements.

The Oxymax ER can simultaneously measure 1 to 10 liquid or solid samples, from 50 ml to 10 liter in volume. The patented principle of measurement, which involves air sampling from the head space of the sample chamber, circulating it through the gas analyzer and returning back to the sample chamber without any contact with the sample, assures that the gas analyzer cannot be easily contaminated. The calibration of the O2 gas analyzer is done automatically and periodically with ambient air, removing the need for expensive, precisely-mixed gas bottles while respirometers equipped with the CO2 analyzer only need to be calibrated once a year. Results of measurements are presented in mg O2/hour or as an accumulated (total in mg) value of oxygen consumed from the beginning of the experiment. Samples are continuously aerated with adjustable air flow (100 ml/min. to 1,500 ml/min.) except for the short time interval when a particular sample is being measured by the gas analyzer. For solid samples (moist soil or compost) which are prone to water loss, an optional condensing air dryer is available. Water vapor is returned to each chamber as water droplets, restoring the sample's moisture content.

The Oxymax ER Respirometer allows either fixed or variable measuring intervals. Fixed intervals may be user set from 3 to 30 minutes. Variable measuring intervals are set by Oxymax ER based on the activity of the sample. In variable mode, the operator sets a gas concentration threshold that, when exceeded, triggers a measurement and a new measuring interval. Provision of the two modes allows Oxymax ER to have both the high sensitivity (0.05 mg O2/hour) required for very low-level measurements while also supporting the special measurement needs of activated sludge and compost research.

The Oxymax ER Respirometer has its own microprocessor and can operate without a computer and send the data to a desktop or laptop computer via an RS-232 interface. Software for the PC allows transfer of ASCII files to a spreadsheet for real-time graphical and numerical data presentation.

Click here to view the Oxymax ER Brochure.

Ordering Information

12001 Oxymax ER One Channel ER Respirometer with O2 sensor

12005 Oxymax ER Add-on channel

12010 Oxymax ER Ten channel single gas (O2) respirometer

12011 Oxymax ER CO2 measuring option

12025 Oxymax ER Ten channel condensing air dryer

12100-5 Oxymax ER Flask Assembly with 2 fittings 50ml

12100-10 Oxymax ER Flask Assembly with 2 fittings 100ml

12100-25 Oxymax ER Flask Assembly with 2 fittings 250ml

12100-50 Oxymax ER Flask Assembly with 2 fittings 500ml

12100-1k Oxymax ER Flask Assembly with 2 fittings 1000ml

12100-2k Oxymax ER Flask Assembly with 2 fittings 2000ml

12201 Oxymax ER drying agent (0.5kg)

12202 Oxymax ER in-line filter (1 pc)

12203 Oxymax ER in-line filter package (10 pc)

12205-HTD Oxymax-ER Hydroscopic Tubing Dryer

References Cited

Click on any of the following titles to search for the document in a new window using Google Scholar.
Some of these references may be difficult to locate using Google Scholar. If you are having trouble finding the correct reference paper, try searching for it on PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed